Education
Yes, this is a local instance, but I’ve no doubt whatsoever that similar opinions exist — and the same arguments would be made — in towns across Rhode Island, were school committees to begin considering a demand for open negotiations. I’ve posted video of the discussion about the topic at the last school committee meeting…
Doesn’t it seem that school districts somehow always just happen to find money? I mean, sometimes a car’s brake lines just happen to go the day after it’s been in the shop for a tuneup, but it’s difficult to know what to make of the Woonsocket superintendent’s claim that the district can now hire a…
As promised, the White House has released the prepared text of President Obama’s speech to school children today. Here’s the theme: Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility. I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn. I’ve talked about your…
I touched on the growing controversy surrounding President Obama’s address to school kids earlier in the week. As I said, I thought Obama’s speech would be pretty harmless and I expect that the speech will be filled with the usual platitudes and educational cheerleading. That’s fine and is the sort of feel-good thing we should…
The rhetoric about public-sector workers’ doggedly, thanklessly doing the hard work that the community requires, recently promoted around here by Phil, comes to mind especially with the item that I’ve italicized in the following: EAST PROVIDENCE — The city’s teachers have voted to withdraw from volunteer activities in the district’s schools. The roughly 500 educators…
ProJo reports: The city’s teachers have voted to withdraw from volunteer activities in the city’s schools. The roughly 500 educators won’t help with afternoon activities except for those that are accompanied with paid stipends, nor will they chaperone dances, buy supplies for their classrooms or participate in committees for curriculum development, accreditation or school improvement.…
This sort of turnaround would flourish in a system of educational choice and merit-driven, professional teaching careers: After a $35-million renovation that left no surface untouched, Nathan Bishop is truly a Cinderella story. Closed nearly three years ago, the school today welc omes its first class of sixth-granders and a new cadre of teachers handpicked…
It’s disappointing to see retired teacher and principal John Savage (R – East Providence) release an op-ed in favor of binding arbitration on House Minority Office letterhead. The piece (provided in full in the extended entry) amounts to union spin issued in the name of the Republican Party. The substantive core of Savage’s argument is…
Via Drudge, it seems President Obama is going to address all pre K to 6th grade students on September 8th. Hm. On the one hand, I’m guessing he’ll speak a lot of platitudes about working hard, opportunity, reaching for the stars, etc. In and of itself, probably pretty harmless. But the concept of sending out…
ProJo high school sports reporter John Gillooly writes about pay-to-play and gives an example of a young girl who thought she’d give volleyball a try, but paying a sports participation fee was an issue: She had heard that anyone who felt their family couldn’t afford the participation fee could go to the high school athletic…